Category: August 8 – August 21

August 10

jpetesd7 Comments

Day 133 Mt Cube Tentsite to NH 25 (14.4 miles)) 1791.1 miles total

400 miles to go! If all goes well I hope to summit Katahdin September 7…just in time for NFL opening night! 4 weeks…100 miles/week.

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Was a bit foggy down below this AM. I’m at 2900 ft.

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About half way through today’s hike I came across a gravel road. Pickup parked there with a bunch of water and juice in plastic jugs. Looks like trail magic but no one around. I loitered to no avail.

Less than 1/4 mile up trail I come across…The Omelet Man. He’s got a tarped in kitchen going on.

He had read a book about the trail. Was fascinated by trail magic concept. Retired last year. Now is out here every day during hiking season from 8AM until 7 or 8PM.

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He has water, juice, cookies, candy, and makes omelets. Lots of them! Ham, onion, green pepper and however many eggs you want. I had 3. Another guy had 6!

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He even has a banana tree!

 

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Spending night in my tent at Hikers Welcome Hostel about 1/4 mile from trail. They have bunk rooms, shower, privy, and a small, honor system snacks and soda area.

Met a trail legend. Grey Beard is trying to become oldest thru-hiker at 82. Cool guy. Talked with him for a while. 37 years US Navy.

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Tomorrow is 9 miles to North Woodstock. It’s only 9 miles but a tough 9 miles. Up one side and down the other of a big mountain.

Happy trails!

 

August 9

jpetesd2 Comments

Day 132 Dead Tired Tentsite to Mt Cube Tentsite (13.5 miles) 1776.7 miles total

I think Earth is giving me a preview of the Whites. There was no more hiking on top of ridge lines. You go up the mountain, down the mountain, and up the next.

Physically tough but the views are very rewarding. This is the “precipitous drop-off” I stopped short of yesterday.

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Peak behind me is Smarts Mountain. Heading there next.

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I had lunch on a ledge with incredible views. Spent an hour there. Buena vista!

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Possibility of rain this afternoon. Hope it blows over.

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Got to the top of Smarts Mtn about 2:40. There is a Fire Wardens cabin that hikes can stay in. Also supposed to be a spring 0.2 miles in front.

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I say supposed to be a spring. When I got to cabin a young couple who had passed by while I was on lunch break were there. They had walked down to spring and not flowing. Just a muddy puddle.

Not good. Couple had just drank last of their water and I had about 10 oz left. An expected and needed water source is dry. Hasn’t happened to me since early GA.

Guidebook says a brook 4 miles down. Will take a bit more than an hour and half. Made it there with no water left. Couple arrived shortly after. Very happy to see clean, flowing water. Only second time I’ve filled from non-spring source. Fingers crossed.

Few sprinkles late in day but anything heavy missed here.

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Got an initial plan together to tackle Whites. Will take 6 or 7 days if weather good.

Have about 25 miles to North Woodstock, NH. That is start of Whites. Should get there early Friday. Rest, resupply, laundry. Start Whites on Saturday.

Happy trails!

August 8

jpetesd3 Comments

Day 131 Hanover, NH to Dead Tired Tentsite (15.5 miles) 1763.2 miles total

Carol, thanks for the use of your sherpa, I mean husband, for the past several days. Good to catch up, drink some beers, have a few laughs, and knock out some miles with a friend of more than 50 years. Thanks, Skaare! Now about that splitting out wide thing…

Sherpa and I parted ways shortly after 10AM. Had to wait for a sporting goods store to open in Hanover (cool town). Needed new sock liners (thin sock under wool sock). Original 2 pairs had holes in toes. Only lasted 1750 miles!

Dartmouth may be smarter than Northern State University but I’m pretty sure we draw a bigger crowd for football games.

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Hitched a ride into Etna, NH for lunch. Small town 0.8 miles from trail. General Store with a deli. Great sandwiches, etc.

Had lunch with Subway. He is Irish and a retired police officer from Stoney Brook, NY. I’ve seen him on and off for a couple weeks. Spent more than an hour chatting. Nice guy. We both have noticed significantly fewer “old guys” since New England.

Out of Etna is a climb up to Moose Mtn.

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After Moose Mtn was a steep climb to Holts Ledge. I stopped to tent shortly before top. I was beat and guide book mentioned “precipitous drop-off” at peak. Thought it prudent to not be dead tired while going over!

Finding a flat spot to tent on a steep part of a mountain is nearly impossible. This is my most uneven spot yet!

Hoping to get started into Whites on Friday. Right now, weather to then sounds good.

Happy trails!